Hi Ya'll

The lower fork sliders on my 02 FLHTCI are weather worn and beaten and I can't get them to look good any more.

I want to go with chrome replacements, but the Harley replacements are mucho dollars. J&P is selling chrome replacements from a company called VTwin Manufacturing for considerably less money.

I Would appreciate any first hand knowledge on form fit and finish on these from anyone who has installed them, or has a friend that installed them.

Thanks,

 

Installing lowers on my 02 ain't so scary
I bought some new chrome lower sliders on Ebay and decided to install them myself. I was a little nervous because I have an 02 with the left side cartridge system. I studied the Clymer book and ended up making a spring compressing tool for short money. I bought an "extended" Pony Clamp kit from Home Depot. I also bought a 3/4" elbow and a 3/4" nipple. I already had a 6' length of 3/4" pipe. I cut the nipple lengthwise an 1 1/2" down the middle. I then cut one side off. I heated it up with a torch and flattened it on my vise. I then cut a notch a 1/2" wide and 3/4" deep in the center of the flat to make room for the cartridge shaft. I screwed the piece into the elbow but kept it loose so I could turn it to the angle of the spring. I snapped off the swivel on the screw side of the clamp and the ball end fits perfectly into the bottom of the lower slider with a fender washer to keep it from burying into the 6mm cap screw. The stop that came with the clamp can be used for the regular spring side. You just have to brace it while your screwing the clamp or it could walk. I'll probably weld a short cup of some sort for the spring nut to sit in. I clamped the unit to a shelf to brace it. The 6' pipe I used was a perfect height to work on the fork. The book tells you to get a 12x1.00 rod coupling to lift the cartridge shaft while assembling and bleeding the fork. I had trouble finding one so I threaded an 8-32 tap into the hole on top and used the tap handle to pump the shaft while bleeding. I did the whole job in about 5-6 hours by myself but another hand to brace would be handy. I did all my assembly, oil filling and bleeding in a 5 gal. bucket with bubble wrap stuffed all around to brace.
All in all it was a good winter day project in my "heated" garage. I took the bike for a ride today and I definitely think the bike is faster with the new chrome......also I used Screamin Eagle fork oil and I noticed a stiffer ride. Won't be able to tell if its better or worse till it warms up and I can really get into the turns and lane changes on the highway.

 

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/attac...1&d=1373331864sprihttps://www.hdforums.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=323597&stc=1&d=1373331 986ng compressor (3).jpg

 

I think you'd be better off with one of the chrome exchange folks on ebay. Most of the V-twin stuff is from overseas.

 

Ditto on the ebay move. I got mine on ebay 2 years ago and they still sparkle like new. They weren't exchange either, Ive still got my old ones......dont know why! LOL! Money well spent in my book!

 

Polish them. They will never rust, will look very BRIGHT!! Rock chips can be polished or sanded out. Cheap and easy to do and no need to disassemble forks.

I used paint thinner first to remove the clear coat. Much easier this way.

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/chass...ml#post5324986



Great idea!! Im installing Ricors and have most of the pieces you described.

 

Thanks to all for the responses.

Looks like either an ebay exchange or polishing the existing fork sliders.

I have had the forks apart before. I thought the cartridge on the (left?) side was stupid, so I ordered a bunch of parts and made both forks like the right fork, with no cartridge present. Has handled fine ever since and makes me wonder what the hell the purpose of the cartridge was in the first place!